Nothing is more durable than the dynasty of Doubt; for he reigns in the hearts of all his people, but gives satisfaction to none of them, and yet he is the only despot who can never die, while any of his subjects live.
Charles Caleb ColtonRead
There are three difficulties in authorship; to write any thing worth the publishing — to find honest men to publish it — and to get sensible men to read it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Authorship involves multiple challenges, including writing valuable content, finding trustworthy publishers, and capturing the attention of discerning readers.
In this quote, Charles Caleb Colton highlights the complex nature of authorship, emphasizing that creating a significant piece of writing is only the first hurdle. The subsequent challenges lie in locating honest and reliable publishers who will support the work and in ensuring that it reaches an audience of discerning individuals who can appreciate its value. This illustrates the multifaceted obstacles that authors face in the literary world.
Themes
AuthorshipWritingPublishingReadersLiterature
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech at a writers' workshop to inspire aspiring authors about the realities of publishing.
More from Charles Caleb Colton
All quotes →It is astonishing how much more people are interested in lengthening life than improving it.
Charles Caleb ColtonRead
The benevolent have the advantage of the envious, even in this present life; for the envious man is tormented not only by all the ill that befalls himself, but by all the good that happens to another; whereas the benevolent man is the better prepared to bear his own calamities unruffled, from the complacency and serenity he has secured from contemplating the prosperity of all around him.
Charles Caleb ColtonRead
Happiness, that grand mistress of the ceremonies in the dance of life, impels us through all its mazes and meanderings, but leads none of us by the same route.
Charles Caleb ColtonRead
Our minds are as different as our faces. We are all traveling to one destination: happiness, but few are going by the same road.
Charles Caleb ColtonRead
Moderation is the inseparable companion of wisdom, but with it genius has not even a nodding acquaintance.
Charles Caleb ColtonRead
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